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Stewart signs one-year pact to return to Cubs

Stewart signs one-year pact to return to Cubs

5/28/12: Ian Stewart goes yard with a two-run home run to deep center field, giving the Cubs a 6-4 lead in the fourth

By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Ian Stewart's first stint with the Cubs didn't work out as planned but the two are going to try again.

On Monday, the Cubs finalized their deal with Stewart, signing the third baseman to a one-year, $2 million deal that includes $500,000 in incentives.

The money is a slight drop from the $2,237,500 Stewart, 27, made last year and also is non-guaranteed. Stewart was limited to 55 games before eventually undergoing season-ending wrist surgery July 10. He batted .201 with five home runs and 17 RBIs, then went on the disabled list June 14.

Acquired on the last day of the 2011 Winter Meetings from the Rockies for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu, Stewart has been working this winter with Hall of Famer Rod Carew. The Cubs are hoping for more production from third base. Last season, the hot corner produced 12 homers and 55 RBIs.

To make room for Stewart on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated left-hander Jeff Beliveau for assignment. Beliveau made his Major League debut last season, going 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA in 22 appearances for the Cubs.

The Cubs also announced Monday their Minor League deal with Korean pitcher Chang-Yong Lim is now official. Lim, 36, has pitched the last 17 seasons in Korea (1996-2007) and Japan (2008-12). He also helped Korea win the bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the silver medal in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

The right-hander, nicknamed "Mister Zero," joined the Yakult Swallows in Japan in 2008 and recorded 128 saves with a 2.09 ERA in 238 relief appearances. He posted at least 28 saves in four straight seasons from 2008-11, including three seasons of 30 saves or more. His 2012 season ended after nine relief appearances because he needed Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, his second, from which he is currently rehabbing.

Lim received a $100,000 signing bonus and will receive monthly Minor League salaries for up to the next two seasons, unless his contract is purchased.